Las Vegas moviegoers OK with tighter theater security
Las Vegans used to be able to see a new movie without attendants searching through their purses or backpacks.
But now those going to a show at one of the 11 Regal cinemas in the Las Vegas Valley are being stopped on their way from the box office to the theater.
“A young lady asked to see my bag,” said Linda Elliot, 77, who saw ‘Ricki and the Flash’ Friday afternoon at the Regal Colonnade 14, 8880 S. Eastern Ave. in Henderson. “Then she opened it and looked through it.”
Most of the nearly two-dozen moviegoers interviewed by the Review-Journal thought the new security measures that started as recently as three weeks ago were done in response to movie theater shootings in Aurora, Colo., Lafayette, La., and most recently, Antioch, Tenn. A total of 15 people died in the three shootings, and 79 more were injured.
“When there’s two theater shootings in two weeks, it’s no coincidence they’re adding more security,” said Juliana Duarte, a frequent moviegoer at the Regal Boulder Station Stadium 11 on Boulder Highway. “I think people get it, and they understand why theaters are doing it.”
Duarte, 45, and her sister, Maria Duarte, 48, said they visit the east valley theater at least twice a month. Though they saw “Mission Impossible — Rogue Nation” there on Aug. 1, it wasn’t until Friday’s showing of “Hitman: Agent 47” that they had to stop and open their bags.
“We had never been asked that before,” Maria Duarte said in Spanish. “But I guess it’s a sign of the times. It’s just how things are now in this country.”
With over 7,000 screens across the country and nearly 200 in the Las Vegas Valley alone, Regal is the country’s largest movie theater chain.
The Knoxville, Tenn.-based company didn’t return multiple Review-Journal requests for comment, leaving unanswered questions on why the company chose only bags instead of other articles of clothing to search, and how the unarmed employees are trained to react if they find a weapon.
A sign reading “Backpacks and bags of any kind are SUBJECT TO INSPECTION prior to entry to this facility” was posted on the front doors of their theaters across the valley.
A statement on the company’s website also said the new security policy was designed to help “customers and staff to feel comfortable and safe when visiting or working in our theaters.”
“To ensure the safety of our guests and employees, backpacks and bags of any kind are subject to inspection prior to admission,” the statement reads. “We acknowledge that this procedure can cause some inconvenience and that it is not without flaws, but hope these are minor in comparison to increased safety.”
The changes didn’t go without notice from Friday’s customers. But most of them said they understood the new policies, and, for the most part, didn’t mind them.
“It’s just like when you go into a ballgame or something like that. Same idea,” Elliot said.
“I don’t think it’s a bad idea at all,” said Sarah Back, 72, also at at the Regal Colonnade in Henderson. “It’s not like the airport or anything.”
Aurelio Cortez, 28, who saw “Straight Outta Compton” Friday afternoon at Regal Red Rock Stadium 16, said he avoided “over-thinking” the new security measure when he opened his bag for an attendant who was collecting his ticket.
“You just can’t think about the possibility of that happening, because otherwise you wouldn’t go out anywhere,” Cortez said.
“At the end of the day, it’s not much to ask for people to open their bags,” he added. “It’s simple, and I’d much rather have it if it prevents a gunman from entering.”
Contact Chris Kudialis at ckudialis@reviewjournal.com or 702-383-0283. Find him on Twitter: @kudialisrj